I had the same thought ctjan. As a fellow nutmegger, I see yellow goldfinches. But then I noticed it sitting on the thistle and looked up variations and saw some similar to this one.

trynfindit

Feb 17, 2018

I'm used to the almost all yellow goldfinch so I had to look this one up. This goldfinch is also known as:
Gray-crowned Goldfinch, Eurasian Goldfinch, Eastern Goldfinch, British Goldfinch.

ctjan

Feb 18, 2018

Thank you both for looking it up. I enjoy seeing the yellow goldfinches, so cute and cheery; but this variety is cute, too.

Terri

Feb 18, 2018

I live in the UK midland region. Currently there are eight goldfinches - identical to our puzzle - but possibly slightly fatter - in our garden. Their size is probably due to the fact that they are stuffing themselves with huge amounts of sunflower hearts. We are refilling their bird feeders every day trying to keep up with the little beasts demands. I swear their part of our weekly grocery bill is more than what we spend to feed ourselves but they keep telling us they are worth it.......

xyxyxyxx

Feb 19, 2018

Love it Terri! My husband calls them goldpigs for the same reason!

phillyinpa

Oct 12, 2018

I looked at my Golden Field Guide and it appears to be a European Goldfinch

To those of you who may have missed this before I want to share the good news:

Thank you all for you prayers. How quickly God answers them! My brother's viral infection has been beaten and he is home and doing well - or as well as can be expected under the circumstances. My great-grandaughter no longer had an elevated temp two days after the 103 F scare so it was not this horrid flu we were afraid of and John shows no symptoms that might interfer with his surgery.

God has blessed us so much and I know he will continue to do so. I have no fear as John heads for surgery. Perhaps while the surgeons are working on his heart, God will be working on it also. I have definitely seen more belief in my daughter when I say I will pray. Living with me, John will see a lot more than he has in short visits.

I spoke with Lyn today for those who are upholding her in prayer. She has put her house on the market and moving closer to her daughter in Hamilton. She is going ahead with some facial surgery as they took part of her jaw in the first lot and it has messed up her face, but will not be having any more chemo etc. She seemed pretty positive and it was good to hear her that way. Thanks to all for your prayer support.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." —Melody Beattie

Thank you for the update. I just hope Lyn keeps the positive attitude. That is a big part of the healing process.

nlbuchanan

Feb 17, 2018

The quote about gratitude is so very true. When I made up my mind to start counting my blessings instead of my sorrows it made a miraculous change in my life. And miraculous is the right word because only God could have made such a great change in me. I praise Him constantly for the work He has done in making me a new creation.

aussiesapphire

Feb 17, 2018

Nlb - we have much to be grateful for as Christians and the power of God in our lives. God bless you. Hugs.

LizzieLaz

Feb 17, 2018

God bless you for the uplifting words and we send prayers to Lyn and family.

Coravee

Feb 17, 2018

Thanks for the update. Looks like progress, but still a long road ahead.

aussiesapphire

Feb 17, 2018

Thank you lizzielaz - much appreciated - I passed on to Lyn yesterday that a lot of people on this site were praying for her and she said that it was very humbling. Hugs.

aussiesapphire

Feb 17, 2018

Hi coravee - yes it is and she is headed into it in a very positive way. Hugs.

I had no diea there are other birds also called goldfinches. This is not the goldfinch of North America, according to my bird book, but it doesn't show other parts of the world. A sweet bird, anyway, and the beak looks finch-like. Teasel grows wild in the field next to my house.